& baby makes three!

Hi Family & Friends! 

I have started this blog as a way to keep everyone updated on the happenings in the Murphy world and progress on baby Murphy. I will be honest - I have a huge fear of writing something that everyone will read because it may sound weird or different. I am putting all of that aside in order to keep everyone updated and use this as an outlet for my mixed emotions/feelings.

Here we go:
   Everyone knows that Josh and I are expecting our first baby boy on May 20, 2013 and we could not be more excited! We have loved every minute of thinking about what he will be like, his name, and what sports he will play once he is a 'wee' bit older :) What most of you don't know is that baby Murphy is having some heart issues and will need surgery soon after birth. 
    We went in for the normal 20 week anatomy ultrasound with Dr. Pohl (who I LOVE) on Wednesday, January 2 and they measured and took pictures of EVERYTHING (and confirmed we were indeed having a boy)! Once the doctor reviewed the ultrasound and spoke with the technician he came in to the room to discuss the results and check up on us. He told us that baby Murphy looks healthy and everything looks great minus one concern he has in regards to his heart. My heart sunk. My worst fear is that something is wrong with my baby and hearing the word "concern" come out of his mouth was all of this coming true. He explained that the right ventricle is slightly larger than the left ventricle. He wasn't too sure what it could be so he couldn't give us any answers and just told us that we would need to see the Maternal-Fetal specialists because they can look in to it a little deeper with their technology. We were told by the receptionists that they would call us after they had set up the appointment with the other doctor and let us know. We left in a sense of confusion with not many answers or ideas about what was going on, and it made me very worried/fearful.
    Dr. Pohl's office called back on Thursday and said the next available appointment was Wednesday January 16 - TWO WEEKS AWAY. I expressed a little concern because I knew I would continue to be worried and they were very nice about everything. I got the office number for the Maternal Fetal Specialists and called to schedule and earlier appointment, but there were none available. Anna, the receptionist, told me to call back on Monday and check for any cancellations, so I waited through the weekend and asked a handful of people to pray for Josh, myself, baby Murphy and an earlier appointment time. God is in control of this situation and he has knitted this baby together from the very beginning. I am trusting Him through everything and will continue to do so - even though the fear is still very present. 
   Monday morning I called the Maternal-Fetal Specialists and there were, sadly, no cancellations. She  said "please call back everyday - I promise something might open up". About 30 minutes later she called back with a cancellation for today! I was so thankful that they were able to see us so soon. Fast forward to today - the appointment. 
    Josh and I were pretty shaken up going in to the appointment because we really had no idea what to expect at all. I filled out the mountain of paperwork and then went back to get all my vitals measured. We went in for the ultrasound and the technician was very friendly. She took lots of pictures of baby Murphy - even some 3D ones :) She explained everything and told us everything she was doing and then went to talk to the doctor, Dr. Eller. He came back in about 15 minutes later to discuss and told us he also was not sure what the issue was, but that there was something so we needed to go see the pediatric cardiologist. He also wanted to do an amnio - basically they stuck a long needle in my stomach and took out some of the amniotic fluid to do chromosomal testing to make sure the heart issue isn't related to any chromosomal issue. Anyone who knows me knows I have a huge fear of needles so this was the last thing I went in to today's appointment wanting to do. Josh held my hand and it was over in a matter of seconds - results, though, won't be back for another 2-4 weeks :/ They were able to schedule us with the pediatric cardiologist for this afternoon - so we left to eat lunch and then headed back to the pediatric cardiologist - Dr. V.
   The pediatric cardiologist appointment went about the same as the one prior - went in for an ultrasound with the technician and then the doctor and the technician came in together. The technician took a lot of pictures of the heart and some video so the doctor would be able to review. He gave us the diagnosis that baby Murphy has a complex heart defect - Tetralogy of Fallot with Absent Pulmonary Valve Syndrome. Basically there are several issues with his heart -  BUT all can be corrected with a surgery that will occur after birth. Right now the process is to continue to see each doctor every 4 weeks (total of three doctors) and they will monitor everything until baby Murphy makes his BIG arrival! Once he is born - the decision about the actual time frame of surgery will happen. 

   Sorry this post is relatively long - but I wanted to let everyone know what is going on so you can pray specifically and I didn't have to tell the same story multiple times. All of this is still sinking in and we just need time to process everything for right now. I will continue to update this blog throughout the pregnancy, but especially after we have our appointments so you can continue to pray specifically.

He says - "Don't worry mom and dad - it's all gonna be okay!"

Here is a cute one of his face :)

Love you all - and thank you for the prayers! 
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares The Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11